I recently had an enlightening lunch with Fr. Matthew, a dedicated Street Outreach Priest in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) for nearly two decades.  Fr. Matthew shared invaluable insights and experiences about street ministry with me. One aspect that particularly struck me was the fact that individuals as young as 45 are considered seniors in DTES,… Continue reading

I recently had a meaningful conversation with an outreach worker at the Ann Vogel Clinic, where I received training on using a Naloxone Kit. The clinic provides outreach services and welcomes walk-in clients seeking harm reduction services or interested in discussing their stabilization or treatment options. During our conversation, I learned that a significant number… Continue reading

Today, during my visit with MH, I learned about his challenges while sleeping on the street for several years. MH expressed his concerns about the increasing dangers of street life and his feelings of resignation while waiting for housing from BC Housing. Being homeless is much more difficult than many people realize. To help individuals… Continue reading

Today, I conversed with Gabriel Yiu, a Hong Kong-born Canadian award-winning journalist, social activist, and businessman. We discussed the work to help people overcome biases on SOGI, harm reduction, and other social justice-related topics. I appreciated Gabriel quoting the verses from Micah: “to act justly and to love and walk humbly.” I told him that… Continue reading

I met a young Cantonese-speaking man this morning. He is turning twenty this year and comes from a complicated family. Having not finished junior high, he needed to work to support himself. After coming to Canada a year ago, he had to take on two jobs to make ends meet. I hope to share the… Continue reading

This afternoon, I had the privilege of accompanying Donna, a retired city outreach worker, to visit “M,” a homeless individual from Taiwan. It was inspiring to witness Donna’s unwavering commitment to supporting the homeless. M shared his experiences with us, highlighting the challenges he faces. It’s important to recognize that many people harbor biases and… Continue reading

Judy, a retired advocate for the homeless at Vancouver City Hall, is also a devoted Anglican Christian. Today, I had the opportunity to sit down with her for coffee. She generously shared her experiences and taught me how to engage with the homeless on the streets compassionately. Her use of Matthew 25 to illustrate her… Continue reading

This morning, I had an inspiring coffee meeting with Linda. Her dedication to fostering an inclusive community left a lasting impression on me. Our open and constructive dialogue about the concept of community itself laid the groundwork for building an inclusive environment. We are enthusiastic about taking the next steps towards creating a community where… Continue reading

A group of us recently had a productive meeting to explore ways to provide factual knowledge and inspiring stories to the community. Our primary goal is to raise awareness about the importance of harm reduction and its value in minimizing the impact and fatalities caused by overdose. The dedication and passion displayed by the individuals… Continue reading

This sunny morning, I had a delightful conversation with Pastor Chris, a local Lutheran leader, over coffee in a nearby park. Our discussion revolved around crucial topics such as social justice, inclusiveness, harm reduction, and ecumenical relations. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet Pastor Chris as my past experiences with other Christian denominations… Continue reading